What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 128 I was tricked by the Empress
Su Mo stared intently at the favorability progress bar that suddenly appeared above Leng Liuxi's head!
7% Green Favorability!

It's less than 10%, it should only be at the level of slightly liking someone.

Women really are all liars.

Judging from her attitude towards him and how soft and sweet her voice was, Su Mo thought that she had a good impression of him!

The result was only 7%!

The affection progress bar has appeared.

But Su Mo looked left and right, but he couldn't see the big exclamation mark that represented the mission!
Without an exclamation mark, you can't open the task panel.

Without the task panel, you can't see this cold, detailed information!
Leng Liuxi noticed that Su Mo was suddenly staring intently at her... well, I should say staring at the top of her head?

Is there something on top of my head?
They all specially removed their phoenix crowns, styled their hair, and inserted only ordinary phoenix hairpins.

What catches your eyes?

She frowned slightly and said softly with some displeasure, "Commander Su, I ask you, is there truly a way to quell the threat of the Northern Barbarians?"

Su Mo then came to her senses.

Although this newly added NPC did not issue any quests.

But once you've built up a good impression, things will be much easier.

At least you can accurately grasp the other person's attitude towards you.

As the saying goes, you can know a person's face but not their heart.

For example, the saintess of that Mother Goddess was outwardly very enthusiastic and even ate at the same table with him as if they were old friends.

Deep down, he always wanted to take his own life!

Without the "favorability boost" cheat, you'd probably run into your great-grandmother in that desolate outskirts!
Hearing Leng Liuxi's question.

Su Mo frowned.

Should I talk to her about the grassland strategy? Maybe try to improve her impression of me?

It shouldn't be considered taboo.

She is a centurion of the Fengming Division.

Judging from the current situation, his power is probably no less than that of Mo'er, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!
If you max out the favorability rating, you'll gain a significant backer, greatly expanding your network of relationships in Shenjing.

Leng Liuxi saw Su Mo frowning and remaining silent.

I couldn't help but feel a slight chill!
It seems this clerk truly possesses a strategy for quelling the threat of the Northern Barbarians!
As an empress, she engaged in a battle of wits and courage with those cunning and scheming court officials.

With her phoenix eyes, she could see right through people's hearts!
Even Leng Liuxi herself, along with many important officials in the court, had no way to suppress the Northern Di.

What methods could a mere clerk like myself possibly use to pacify the Northern Barbarians?
Leng Liuxi became increasingly suspicious.

She remained impassive, staring intently at Su Mo, waiting to see what earth-shattering words he might utter.

Su Mo suddenly laughed: "That was just a young boy's arrogant remark. How could you, sir, take it seriously!"

The Empress was dumbfounded.

Su Mo then added, "If you have nothing else to say, please allow me to take my leave!"

The threat from the Northern Barbarians is a major issue for the imperial court.

After careful consideration, Su Mo decided it was best to avoid getting involved.

The Heavenly Mother Sect almost sent him to meet his grandmother, let alone the Northern Barbarians!
If the Heavenly Mother Cult is merely a minor ailment...

Suppressing the Heavenly Mother Cult is politically correct.

The Northern Barbarians, however, are the true and most serious threat to the Great Wu Dynasty!

Once the treacherous plan that could wipe out the Northern Di and Manchu tribes is presented.

Who can guarantee that the imperial court won't leak it?
And who can guarantee that the Northern Barbarians won't send their experts to deliver him, the instigator, to their Eternal Heaven God!
The risks and rewards are disproportionately high.

Could someone as lowly as a captain really be promoted to a high-ranking position and become one of the Three Dukes just by offering this advice?

There will be plenty of opportunities to increase your favorability with the Hundred Households of Fengming Pavilion.

Sending money directly is also acceptable.

There's no need to risk your life!

Leng Liuxi stared at Su Mo in astonishment.

His face darkened slightly, but his voice remained soft and pleasant: "Commander Su, are you afraid that if you offer this plan, I will steal the credit, so you dare not speak?"

As soon as he said that, his favorability rating dropped by four points, leaving him with only 3%!

Su Mo was speechless.

This level of favorability is like a rollercoaster ride.

A woman's heart is indeed unpredictable; it can change in an instant!

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed and looked at Leng Liuxi very seriously: "Lord Leng!"

"It's not that I'm afraid you'll steal the credit, sir!"

As he spoke, he placed his hands on the table, leaned forward, and his head was almost touching the Empress's face, less than two feet away!
The hot breath he exhaled, carrying a faint masculine scent, entered Leng Liuxi's nostrils!

Who has ever dared to be so disrespectful before the Emperor!

The Empress's face darkened slightly, and she was about to reprimand Su Mo.

Su Mo finally spoke.

He spoke in a completely candid tone, adopting an air of utmost sincerity: "To be honest, sir!"

"This subordinate did indeed have some immature ideas!"

"but……"

The Empress, disregarding her reprimand of Su Mo, leaned back slightly to create some distance, her phoenix eyes fixed intently on him: "But what?"

Su Mo said in a deep voice, "But this plan is far too vicious!"

"If outsiders find out, not only will my life be in danger..."

Su Mo turned his head and looked at the carriage window covered by black silk, his expression extremely serious: "I'm afraid you, sir, will not be spared either!"

Leng Liuxi smiled: "I should be quite bold, so please speak freely!"

"I can guarantee that these words are spoken by you and heard by me, and no third party will know them!"

"Uh...please sit back down..."

Su Mo also felt that she might have been a little impolite.

After all, the other party is not a high-ranking official.

He sat back down on the low stool, but his face remained serious: "Some things, once said, cannot be kept secret just because you say so!"

He pointed to the car window: "For example, could they hear the conversation between the adults and their subordinates?"

"Can you guarantee, sir, that none of them are spies from the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"besides……"

Su Mo sighed: "Even if they don't inform on us."

"My lord, please present this plan to His Majesty."

"Such an important matter, how could Your Majesty not summon your ministers to discuss it?"

Su Mo sighed and said, "If this plan of mine becomes known to outsiders, it will be difficult to achieve its purpose, and it will only incur the hatred of the Northern Di for no reason."

"How dare I, a lowly official, speak such nonsense?"

Seeing that Leng Xixi's favorability rating had risen back to two points, Su Mo breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that my words did have some effect.

This cold-hearted fellow isn't stupid; he understands the risks involved.

As a result, she turned cold and waved her hand.

A ripple spread outwards.

Su Mo instantly felt that it was completely silent outside. His keen hearing, enhanced by his Body Observation Realm, could not detect the slightest sound from outside!
He stared at Leng Liuxi in shock!
Leng Liuxi smiled and said, "Chief Su, there's no need to worry."

"I am merely curious, what brilliant plan does Commander Su have that is worth 100,000 imperial troops!"

She paused, then added, "I promise I will not speak of this matter to anyone, not even... not even Your Majesty!"

Su Mo broke out in a cold sweat, and her face turned pale instantly.

How dare you utter such treasonous words?

Furthermore, this seemingly frail and sickly older woman actually possesses such terrifying cultivation in the immortal realm.

With a wave of his hand, he set up a magic array!

Even... Lord Qianhu is not as good as her!
Returning to the realm of the orifices?
Or perhaps... the Golden Core Realm?

Leng Liuxi blinked and chuckled, "If Commander Su doesn't believe me, I... will swear an oath with you with a high five?" Su Mo's brows furrowed!
Judging from this situation, it seems that the other party won't give up unless I offer them something substantial.

He still wanted to try and salvage the situation, so he asked, "Sir, if I don't tell you, will you not let me leave?"

Leng Liuxi covered her mouth and smiled: "You guessed right!"

Su Mo's face was bitter: "If that's the case, then this humble servant can only speak recklessly."

"However, once I leave this carriage, I will never admit that these words came from my own mouth."

He took a deep breath: "The Northern Barbarians live in a poor and impoverished region. In order to survive, they have no choice but to invade our Great Wu from the south."

"The Northern Barbarians are all cavalry, swift as the wind, and their whereabouts are difficult to find on the vast grasslands!"

"This is what military strategists say; it's a disguised form of attack or defense, making it very difficult to deal with!"

Leng Liuxi's eyes lit up: "That's exactly right!"

"Although the imperial court has stationed 100,000 troops in the northern border, it can only defend passively. Even if it manages to defeat them temporarily, it will be difficult to wipe them out completely, and they will soon make a comeback!"

As she spoke, she sighed, "The advantage of cavalry is something that infantry cannot match. Unfortunately, the Great Wu Dynasty lacks warhorses, making it difficult to form a powerful army!"

Leng Liuxi gave Su Mo a deep look: "I never expected that Commander Su would be so proficient in military strategy. This truly surprises me!"

Praised by such a beautiful and mature woman, Su Mo, being only an eighteen-year-old boy, couldn't help but feel a little smug: "It's just military strategy, not some profound subject, not worth mentioning!"

"Furthermore, cavalry is by no means an invincible force!"

"There are just too many ways for infantry to deal with cavalry."

What are the Thirty-Six Stratagems, the Sixteen True Words of "When the Enemy Advances, We Retreat," and the Flat-Sided Chariot Battle Formation? Anyone who frequents online forums or loves reading historical novels knows them all.
Leng Liuxi covered her mouth and laughed, "Chief Su is truly a great talent!"

"Military strategy is no trivial matter; it is the foundation for governing a country and ensuring its stability. It is regarded as a closely guarded secret by powerful and influential families!"

As she spoke, she looked at Su Mo with curiosity: "In my eyes, cavalry is the strongest type of soldier in the world."

"Can Commander Su really fight back with infantry?"

Su Mo realized that he had probably gotten himself into trouble again, so he quickly waved his hand and said, "This humble servant was just bragging, please don't take it seriously, sir!"

Leng Liuxi blinked: "What is bragging?"

Su Mo coughed and said, "That's just bragging!"

He quickly changed the subject: "To completely solve the problem of the Northern Barbarians, there are only three words: sheep eat people!"

Sure enough, Leng Liuxi's attention was instantly drawn to it, and a look of suspicion appeared on her pretty face: "Sheep eat people?"

Su Mo nodded: "The Northern Di mostly eat sheep, and wool is useless, so it is mostly discarded!"

"This humble servant possesses a secret ancestral technique..."

Leng Liuxi...

Su Mo continued, "This humble servant possesses a secret ancestral technique that allows us to weave useless wool into soft and warm woolen sweaters."

"If Da Wu were to purchase large quantities of wool from the northern barbarian herdsmen, either with money or with rice."

"What do you think will happen next, sir?"

Leng Liuxi gasped in shock: "The herdsmen will be raising sheep on a large scale?"

Su Mo looked at Leng Liuxi with slight surprise.

I never expected that this Hundred-Household Commander of Fengming Pavilion would be so intelligent; he's definitely got the makings of an intelligence officer.

He nodded emphatically: "Yes!"

“The Northern Di nobles can obtain enough money and grain from the Great Wu Dynasty by taking useless wool without plundering, and they will definitely force the herdsmen to raise sheep for profit!”

"Even if there are Northern Di forces that are unwilling to raise sheep and continue to plunder southwards, this method can divide and weaken them, thus gradually weakening them in the war and eventually causing their demise!"

Leng Liuxi stared intently at Su Mo: "The remaining Northern Di have all been sent to feed sheep; they have no strength left to raise those warhorses!"

"And the grain supply is controlled by the Great Wu..."

Su Mo nodded: "Yes!"

"Once a weapon is dropped on the ground, it's difficult to pick it up again!"

"If the Northern Barbarians don't obey, cut off their rice and grain supplies, and see how many days they can survive on just sheep!"

"This is what is meant by sheep eating people!"

He paused, then said with a hint of pride, "Cheap wool can be made into sweaters for profit. To quell the threat from the Northern Barbarians, the court not only doesn't need to spend any money, but can even profit from it!"

Leng Liuxi was speechless.

What a monster this is!
Without losing a single soldier, we can quell the troubles of the Northern Barbarians and even profit from them.
Is this a method that a human could come up with?

A true pillar of the nation!

Those great scholars, academicians, and wise teachers who only know how to talk big.

In front of this clerk, I'm afraid I don't even have the right to carry his shoes!
Seeing Leng Liuxi's shocked expression, Su Mo feared she might be blinded by greed and quickly warned, "My lord, if the Northern Di people know of this plan, they will spare no effort to assassinate you!"

Leng Liuxi nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, I... know what's important!"

Immediately, she stared at Su Mo: "The key to this plan lies in the secret technique of knitting wool into sweaters?"

Upon hearing this, Su Mo immediately became alert.

This is my grand plan to make a fortune in the future!

Once he has climbed to a high position, he can use this method to negotiate with the Empress. At the very least, he can organize a caravan in advance to go to the grasslands and buy wool.

The plan can be described.

The secret recipe cannot be revealed.

Washing wool with lime water to remove grease is a skill anyone can learn.

But as long as you have the advantage, you can eat your fill!
Su Mo wasn't about to hand over such a divine skill just to boost his favorability with the Phoenix Pavilion centurion, so he quickly said, "Ahem!"

"This is a secret recipe passed down through my family... It was taught to me by that old man with the white beard in the snow. I don't know if it will work yet; I need to test it first..."

Leng Liuxi...

It's that old man with the white beard again!

She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to beat the guy up.

She looked at Su Mo with a slight smile: "I'm really curious!"

"Is there anything in this world that Commander Su doesn't understand? From military strategy to the art of making a living from wool?"

Su Mo quickly replied, "That's all!"

"That's all I know, I really don't know anything else!"

He paused, feeling like something was off, and realized he'd been tricked into revealing a lot of information.

I'm already very vigilant!

But in front of this mature woman, he seemed to have been possessed, and said a lot of things that he should and shouldn't have said!
He frowned, glanced subconsciously at the incense burner emitting smoke on the table, then took a deep breath: "The strategy for pacifying the Northern Barbarians has been conveyed to you, sir. I may now take my leave?"

Leng Liuxi smiled and said, "Thank you for clarifying my doubts, Commander Su!"

"A single conversation with you, Mr. Su, is worth more than ten years of study! I will certainly seek your guidance again in the future."

Su Mo quickly replied, "Please don't be so polite, sir!"

"Really, there's no need to consult me. I know nothing about governance, military strategy, or tactics; it's all just bragging!"

He paused, then reminded the other person, "That sheep eats people. Sir, you must not tell anyone, or people will die!"

Having said that, he didn't hesitate any longer, lifted the curtain, and climbed out of the carriage!

A slightly chilly mountain breeze blew by.

Su Mo shuddered.

My foggy mind cleared up instantly.

I couldn't help but curse myself for being blinded by lust!
However, these words did not seem to be entirely in vain.

Before leaving, Su Mo checked the other party's favorability rating one last time.

It's reached 8%!
I estimate that when I see her again, giving her a few hundred taels of silver or two bottles of perfume will raise her favorability to over 10%!

Su Mo refused to believe that any woman could resist money and perfume!

If you want to get promoted, you have to pull strings and use back channels!
I glanced at the expressionless female knights in black armor, and the charming maids whose expressions seemed a little strange.

Su Mo mounted the chestnut horse, spurred it on, and galloped away!

Leng Liuxi's expression suddenly turned indifferent.

With a wave of her hand, the incense burner on the table transformed into a streak of dark light and disappeared into her sleeve.

He stared expressionlessly at Su Mo's departing figure until it completely disappeared from sight before withdrawing his gaze and saying calmly, "Let's depart and return to the palace!"

Here's a chapter first, I'll post a bigger one later, just to prove I'm not padding.

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(End of this chapter)